A major boost is coming to Bath’s aging water system, thanks to a $2 million state and federal funding package announced this week by Governor Kathy Hochul.
The money will help the Village of Bath replace 100 lead service lines, protecting drinking water for residents and easing the financial burden on local taxpayers. The funds come through New York’s Lead Infrastructure Forgiveness and Transformation (LIFT) program and the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“This is about getting the lead out, plain and simple,” Hochul said in a statement. “Every New Yorker deserves access to clean, safe drinking water — and this investment helps make that happen.”
The LIFT program is part of a broader $469 million effort across the state to remove lead pipes from communities, especially in small and rural towns like Bath. Officials say the work will reduce long-term health risks while supporting local construction jobs.
The Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) approved the funding as part of a $135 million statewide investment in water and sewer infrastructure projects. The goal is to modernize outdated systems, protect public health, and avoid passing high costs onto ratepayers.
The Village of Bath is one of 13 communities selected in this round of funding.
EFC President Maureen Coleman called the announcement a “significant investment” that will help municipalities like Bath prepare for long-term success. State health officials also praised the funding as a key step in eliminating lead exposure from household plumbing.
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